Fact: The Kinsey studies (1947, 1953) found that 10-12%
of men and women identify as gay or lesbian throughout
their lives. More recent studies have found that 6-12%
of men and women report engaging in same sex behavior
during their lives (National Survey of Family Growth
2002). Same-sex intimate behavior is common, having been
found in every known culture and in the animal world as
well. LGBTQ people are found in every social, economic,
racial, and religious group. They are our teachers,
colleagues, friends, parents, and children. We all know
a number of LGBTQ people, whether we are aware of it or
not.

Myth: We know what “causes” homosexuality.

Fact: The research so far has proven only one thing, we
don’t know what causes anybody’s sexual orientation.
This myth has an interesting heterosexist slant. Do
people ever wonder and ask what causes heterosexuality?

Myth: Homosexuality is unnatural.

Fact: There are recorded observations of same sex
behavior and gender fluidity throughout the animal
kingdom (from seagulls and mares to primates) and from
every known culture in the world.

Myth:
Homosexuality is immoral.

Fact: There are several instances in a variety of
religious texts that can be and have been used to
condemn homosexuality. Some religious leaders and
movements choose to use them; others believe they are a
reflection of the social customs of the time, are not
dealing with LGBTQ identity and relationships as we know
them today, and should not be translated literally into
policy for contemporary times.

Myth: Homosexuality is a mental illness.

Fact: The American Psychiatric Association voted in 1973
to remove homosexuality from their list of mental
disorders because there is no evidence to substantiate
this classification.

Myth: Gay men and lesbian women have many more sexual
partners than heterosexuals.

Fact: Certainly, individuals within the LGBTQ community
have as many sexual partners as do heterosexual
individuals. Society does not provide any of the
supports for gay and lesbian relationships that it does
for heterosexual couples, yet over 50% of LGBTQ
individuals are in long-term relationships and there are
same-sex couples in 99% of counties in the US.
Heterosexual marriage has a 50% divorce rate.

Myth: Gay
men molest children.

Fact: 97% of child molesting is perpetrated by
heterosexual adult males on adolescent females. The
“average” offender is a white heterosexual male in an
adult relationship and is a man that the child knows.
The adult who does molest children is often a
pedophile, a person who is attracted to children
regardless of their sex.

Myth: You can spot a gay man or lesbian women by the way
they act and dress.

Fact: Gender roles do not determine sexual orientation.
Many LGBTQ people are impossible to distinguish from
straight and more gender normative individuals. There
are some lesbians who dress in a very masculine way,
some gay men who act in traditionally feminine ways, and
many LGBTQ people who feel the freedom to explore a
range of gender expression. They are also many gender
normative LGBTQ people who “pass” unnoticed every day.

Myth: Gay people are not good parents. They introduce
their children to their “lifestyle.” Their children will
grow up to be gay.

Fact: According to the American Psychiatric Association,
studies comparing groups of children raised by
homosexual and by heterosexual parents find no
developmental differences between the two groups of
children in four critical areas: their intelligence,
psychological adjustment, social adjustment, and
popularity with friends. It is also important to realize
that a parent's sexual orientation does not dictate his
or her children's.

Myth: You can spot a gay or lesbian person by the way
they act and dress.

Fact: Some people believe all gay men are effeminate,
and all lesbians are tomboys. While there are some gay
and lesbian persons who fit these stereotypes, they are
no more representative of all homosexual people than are
the Marlboro Man and June Cleaver types representative
of all straight people. LGBTQ people generally look and
act like everyone else. Most people never suspect the
sexual orientation of an LGBTQ individual.

Myth: I’ve never met a person who is gay, lesbian,
bisexual, or transgender.

Fact: Most people know a number of LGBTQ persons, but
are unaware of it because these persons are “in the
closet”. Because of intense prejudice and hatred
directed toward LGBTQ people in our society, many are
quite reluctant to reveal their sexual orientation. As
noted, most LGBTQ people look and act just like
everyone else. They come from all walks of life, all
races, all economic levels, and all political
perspectives. So heterosexual people can assume that
they probably have homosexual neighbors, friends,
relatives, and fellow worshipers, although those persons
may be afraid to reveal that they are not straight.

Myth: LGBTQ people want to come into our schools and
recruit the students to their lifestyle.

Fact: There have been attempts to bring LGBTQ issues
into schools, but certainly not to convert anyone. There
is no evidence that people could be “recruited” to a
homosexual orientation, even if someone wanted to do
this. The intent is to teach adolescents not to mistreat
LGBTQ classmates, who are often subjects of harassment
and physical attacks. Talking openly about homosexuality
is also crucial to students who are LGBTQ. Feeling
alone, frightened and confused, these young people are
much more likely to attempt suicide than their straight
peers. A recent study indicates that 30% of gay and
lesbian students attempt suicide around the age of 15.

Myth: To be bisexual implies that a person has multiple
partners.

Fact: Bisexual individuals have affection and sexual
feelings towards persons of the other sex, as well as
the same sex. This does not imply involvement with more
than one partner any more than a heterosexual person’s
ability to be attracted to more than one person implies
multiple partners.

Myth: You
can always tell homosexuals by the way they look or act.
Men who act in a feminine manner must be gay. Masculine
women with short haircuts and deeper voices must be
lesbians.

Fact: These stereotypes only apply to about 15% of gays
and 5% of lesbians. These stereotypes confuse the
concept of sexual orientation (whether you prefer the
same or the other sex as sexual partners) with gender
roles (exhibiting masculine or feminine behavior). Just
as the vast majority of gays and lesbians do not fit
these stereotypes, only a portion of heterosexuals match
them. Except for their actual sexual activity or
admitting their sexual preferences, there is no accurate
way to judge someone’s sexual orientation.

Many adolescents and some adults are not secure in their
masculinity or femininity. For them, it is important to
be as different form an LGBTQ person as possible. They
may even have homophobia, an unreasonable fear and/or
hatred of homosexuals. With their insecurity, they
maintain stereotypes of effeminate male gays and
masculine lesbians. When they follow the stereotyped
gender roles, they feel more sexually adjusted. They use
the stereotypes to distinguish between out-group and
in-group members. When these individuals meet
homosexuals who do not fit the homosexual stereotypes,
they feel very upset and threatened. They are extremely
upset by any activity with people of the same sex that
even hints at being sexual.

Myth: Christians are united in their opposition to
homosexual people and homosexuality.

Fact: There are a wide variety of opinions about
homosexual persons among the various Christian
denominations, and among individuals as well. Some
religious groups interpret certain Biblical passages as
injunctions against homosexuality, while others view
these passages in the light of historical context,
pointing out other passages Christians no longer take
literally, such as those advocating slavery, dietary
laws, and ritual purity laws. In addition many Christian
denominations have issued statements condemning
discrimination and prejudice against homosexual people,
as have a number of Jewish and other religious groups.
There are numerous congregations who welcome and affirm
homosexual Christians as fully participating members
with unique gifts to offer.